Madonna fires back at ‘Celebration’ tour lawsuit over concert delay — will ‘vigorously’ defend herself
Madonna isn’t hung up on a recent lawsuit filed by two fans after she took to the stage at her Dec. 13 “Celebration” tour concert not 4 minutes but closer to two hours after the promised start time printed on their tickets.
The “Material Girl” and tour company Live Nation issued a statement following the complaint from Michael Fellows of Brooklyn and Jonathan Hadden of The Bronx, who were livid at her tardiness because they had to report to work early the next day.
“Madonna’s just completed, sold-out 2023 Celebration Tour in Europe received rave reviews. The shows opened in North America at Barclays in Brooklyn as planned, with the exception of a technical issue Dec. 13 during soundcheck,” Live Nation and Madonna’s management said in a statement. “This caused a delay that was well documented in press reports at the time. We intend to defend this case vigorously.”
The plaintiffs, however, maintain that the show was advertised to begin at 8:30 p.m., but Madonna hit the stage “between 10:45 p.m. and 11 p.m.”
Madonna performs during the opening night of the “Celebration” tour at the O2 arena on Oct. 14, 2023, in London, England.WireImage for Live Nation
As a result, the show allegedly did not end until after 1 a.m., causing both men to encounter issues with “limited public transportation, limited ride-sharing, and/or increased public and private transportation costs.”
In addition, according to court documents, because the show was on a weeknight, it was difficult “to get up early to go to work and/or take care of their family responsibilities the next day” after fewer hours of sleep.
The Post has reached out to Madonna, 65, Live Nation and Barclays Center, who are all named in the suit.
Fellows and Hadden have accused the defendants of engaging in “unconscionable, unfair, and/or deceptive trade practices” and are seeking “damages, statutory damages, treble damages, exemplary damages, costs, and attorneys’ fees,” as well as a trial by jury.
Madonna’s lateness has been blasted by several fans on social media. The women of “The View” also admitted they probably wouldn’t be attending Madonna’s tour anytime soon.
“I personally wouldn’t wait two hours to get a hot oil massage from George Clooney, much less a concert by anybody,” panelist Joy Behar said, while Sara Haines added that it was “disrespectful.”
Sunny Hostin, however, defended Madonna and said she didn’t believe the singer should be sued.
The show allegedly did not end until after 1 a.m., causing both men to encounter issues with “limited public transportation, limited ride-sharing, and/or increased public and private transportation costs.”WireImage for Live Nation
“This is baked into Madonna,” Hostin said. “She’s an icon. She’s always late … When you go to a Madonna concert, you know you have to eat before, you have to get lit before and you’re going to wait about two hours and listen to a DJ.”
Madonna’s “Celebration” tour kicked off at the O2 arena in London on Oct. 14, 2023, after the pop star suffered a health scare following a serious bacterial infection that led to several days in the ICU — and forced a three-month postponement of the tour.
“I didn’t think I was gonna make it. Neither did my doctors,” she said. “I forgot five days of my life — or my death … But my children were there — and my children always save me every time.”
